Baby-yard.



PATBNTED JULY 8, 1906.

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PATENTED JULY. 3, 1906.

`B. H. LEB. BABY YARD.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 24,1905,

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BABY-YARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 1906.

Application filed July 24,1905. Serial No. 271.038.

To all whom. it 11i/Ly concern:

Be it known that I, BURTON H. LEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Orange, in the county of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Baby-Yards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a portable baby yard or inclosure which is capable also of conversion into a crib and an exhibition-coop for poultry or the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide inclosing means for protecting children of various sizes both indoors and outdoors and prevent the occupant of the yard or inclosure when the latter is located indoors from reaching fire or other injurious materials or objects and at the same time afford the child ample room for play. When the yard or inclosure is located outdoors, the bottom may be removed to permit the occupant to have ready access to the ground-surface.

The yard or inclosure is of an adjustable or reducible and expansible nature to adapt it to be arranged compactly for storage or to meet various requirements as to adjustment to accommodate children of different sizes. The yard or inclosure is also provided with means to prevent the occupant from'climbing out of the same and also for convenience in placing a child in and removing it from the yard or inclosure.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a yard or inclosure embodying the features of the invention and shown open. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the yard or inclosure shown closed. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the yard or inclosure shown vertically reduced and provided with an open top for use by small children. Fig. 4 is a perspe'ctive view of the yard or inclosure arranged as an exhibition-coop for poultry and the like. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a clamping-screw device for holding the upper section of the yard or inclosure in iixed position with respect to the lower section. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a slightly-modified form of the clamping-screw shown by Fig. 5.

Similar numerals of reference are ernployed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a lower section, and 2 an upper section vertically adjustable with respect to the said lower section. The

lower section has a bottom frame 3, referably of rectangular form, and to whic bottorn covers or plates 4 are removably applied, the` said bottom covers or plates 4 havlng cleats secured to the under sides thereof to support turn-buttons 7, which are caused to engage the under surface of the opposite side rails of the bottom frame 3 when it is desired to hold the said covers or plates in fixed position. The covers or plates 4 rest on the u per surfaces of the side and end rails of t e bottom frame 3 and when released may be freely removed through the upper portions of the sections. The bottom frame 3 is also mounted on casters 8, preferably of the ball-bearing type, to facilitate the movement of the complete yard or inclosure from one place to another, as may be de sired. The lower section 1 also has a top frame 9 of rectangular form secured at the sides and ends to the bottom frame by regularly-spaced rounds or bars 10, which may be of any diameter in accordance with the general proportions and use of the yard or inclosure. The upper section 2 has a bottom frame 11 and a top frame 12, connected by rounds or bars 13, similar to the rounds bars 10, and slidable through openings 14 in the side and end rails of the top frame 9 of the lower section 1 between or in alternation with respect to the rounds or bars 10. The side rails 15 and 16, respectively, of the lower and upper frames 11 and 12 of the upper section 1 are se arable from the end rails of said frames, the Lfatter and the said side rails 15 and 16 being suitably mortised, as shown, to form a snug iitting of the rails when joined. The purpose of this separable front for the u per section 1 is to render the yard or inc osure readily accessible when the section 1 is elevated to its full extent for convenience in disposing a child in or withdrawing it from the yard.

`As shown by Figs. 1 and 2, the upper section 1 has an open closure 17 fixed thereto and composed of side and end rails connected by rounds, and to the closure is hinged a gate 18, also of open formation and similar in structure to the said closure 17. Projecting outwardly from the under side of the opposite extremities of the gate 18 are metal securing-plates 19, which bear upon the upper surfaces of the end rails of the top frame 12 of the section 2 when the gate 18 is closed. Adjacent to each end of the upper rail 16 of the separable or drop front of the section 2 IOO securing-clips are pivotally disposed and held in connection with the rail 16 by combined clamping and pivot screws 21, having their upper screw-threaded extremities engaged by clamping-nuts 22, bearing onthe said clips, the opposite ends of the latter being free and provided with buttons or studs 23 for moving or placing the same. The clips p 20 when turned over or brought to bear on the upper sides of the projecting plates 19 and tightened by operating the nuts 22 will Y lirmly hold the gate 18 closed against the top of the section 2. The clips when turned over the end rails of the top frame 12 of the upper section 2 also secure the separable or drop front of said section against movement, and these clips can be used for this locking operation independently of their service, asy

locking means for the gate 18, or said clips can simultaneously perform both functions and securely fasten all of the separable or movable parts of the upper section.

The upper section 2, as will be understood L lfrom the foregoing description, may be adjusted vertically to any extent, and` to prevent said section from moving after it is adjusted or to x it in its adjusted position clamping devices are employed and shown in two forms by Figs. -5 and 6. The clamping device shown in detail by Fig. 5 is particularly adapted for the inclosure when it is used as a yard for children and consists of a screw-plate 24, having centrally-disposed therein a clamping-screw 25, with an outer head 26 and an inner clamping member 27 which 'is swiveled thereto, and has a concaved recess 28 at its inner end to bear against one of the rounds or bars 10 of the upper section. Four of these clamping devices are used, two at each end of the lower section 1,

I the plates 24 being secured to the upper end the lower section.

is prevented. In the cheaper grade of the improved yard or inclosure the clamping device illustrated in detail in Fig. 6 is employed and differs from that shown by Fig. 5 by having a circular member 29 riveted or 0th-,

erwise secured to the inner end of the screwshank, the remaining part of this form of y clamping device being similar to those shown by Fig. 5.

To hold the yard or inclosure in fixed position after it has been placed as desired, hooks 30 are attached to the end rails of the bottom frame 3 to receive cords or other securing-strands which may be attached to stakes driven in the ground or to other analogous devices. When the hooks 30 are not engaged by fastening means, the yard or inclosure may be readily moved from one position to another either while empty or during occupancy by a child without injury to the latter.

For very small children the yard or inclosure is arranged as shown by Fig. 3 and is devoid of a top covering, this arrangement being produced by fully lowering the upper section 2 and securing it.by the clamping means heretofore described. Another conversion of the improved yard or inclosure consists in placing or supporting a springframe or mattress of any preferred form on the upper frame 9 of the lower section 1 and elevating the upper section to form a crib or bed inclosure, and in such arrangment the covering means for the upper section, as

shown by Figs. l and 2, may or may not be p lfull extent and secured by the clamping means therefor, and either an open top cover similar to that shown by Figs. 1 and 2 or a closed top 31, as shown by Fig. 4, may be used. In the coop arrangement removable supplemental bottom sections 32 are disposed on the upper frame 9 of the lower section 1 to divide the inclosure into two parts, both the upper and lower compartments thus produced being rendered accessible by sliding gates 33 and 34, which are held in fixed closed position by clamping devices similar, for instance, to those shown by Fig. 6. The upper gate 33 is slidable downwardly over the lower section, and the lower gate 34 is likewise movable over the upper section at the front. When the exhibition-coop is stored or arranged for transportation, the upper section will be moved downwardly into the lower section or telescoped with respect to the latter. To close the corners of the device when arranged as a coop, headed rods 35 are usedk and secured in place by nuts, said rods being passed through the corner structures.

The principal use of the yard or inclosure is for confining children in one place, and to render the same readily accessible and obviate the strain incident to lifting a heavy child the separable or drop front of the upper section comes prominently into play. The different locking or clamping devices are also advantageous, particularly in converting the yard or inclosure from one form into another or for adjusting the parts thereof to accom- IIO modate various contingencies or requirements. yAll of the parts of the yard or inclosure eXcept those particularly described are rigidly connected. The several removable or changeable parts are so assembled that they may be readily withdrawn or otherwise manipulated, and it is preferred that When the inclosure is arranged as an exhibitioncoop that the upper section be closed by a fixed cover of imperforate or solid construction. It will also be understood that changes in the proportions, dimensions, and minor details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I-Iaving thus fully described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. A device of the class set forth, having upper and lower sections comprising frames connected by rounds, the upper section being vertically adjustable in the lower section, and locking means carried by the lower section for holding the upper section at various elevations with respect to the lower section.

2. In a device of the class set forth, the combination of upper and lower sections comprising frames connected by rounds, the upper section being vertically adjustable in the lower section, a removable bottom for the lower section to permit the occupant of the device to be held above the base-support of the latter, or directly in contact with said support, and means for locking the upper section in adjusted position.

3. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of upper and lower sections comprising frames connected by rounds, the upper section being vertically adjustable in the lower section, locking means carried by the lower section for holding the upper section at various elevations with respect to said lower section, and intermediate removable means for separating the two sections into upper and lower distinct compartments.

4. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of upper and lower sections comprising frames connected by rounds, the upper section being vertically adjustable in the lower section, Vlocking means carried by the lower section for holding the upper section at various elevations with respect to the said lower section, a removable bottom for the lower section, and intermediate removable partition means for dividing the yard or inclosure into upper and lower distinct compartments.

5. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section having casters to render the same portable and a removable bottom cover, and an upper section vertically adjustable in the lower section, the yard or inclosure having front slidable means to render the same accessible.

6. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section, an

upper section telescopically'adjustable in the lower section and provided with front slidable means, and a top covering for the upper section. i

7 In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination cfa lower section, an upper section telescopically disposed therein and provided with a front slidablemeans, and a top 'covering for the upper section having a hinged gate. l

8. In` a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section, an upper section telescopically mounted therein and provided with a' separable drop-front, and a top covering for the uppersection.

9. In' a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section, an upper section telescopically adjustable in the lower section and provided with a separable drop-front, a top covering for the upper section having a hinged gate, -and'means for holding the drop-front against movement with respect to the upper section.

10. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section, an upper section telescopically disposed in the lower section and provided with a drop-front, means for holding the drop-front in immovable relation to the upper section, and a top covering for the latter section.

1l. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section, an upper section telescopically mounted therein and provided with a drop-front, a top covering for the upper section having -a hinged ate, and locking means for holding the droplgront in immovable relation to the top section or securing the hinged gate in closed position.

12. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section, an upper section telescopically mounted therein and provided with a drop-front, a top cover for the upper section vhaving a hinged member, and means for simultaneously locking the drop-front in immovable relation to the upper section and also for securing the said hinged member in closed position.

13. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section, an upper section telescopically mounted in the lower section and provided with a drop-front, a top cover for the upper section having a hinged member, and movable clips carried by the upper portion of the drop-front and provided with means for securing the same to lock the drop-front in immovable relation to the upper section or to secure the hinged member in closed position.

14. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section having upper and lower frames connected by rounds, an upper section having upper and lower frames connected by rounds movable through the upper frame of the lower section,

IOO

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and means tor securing the upper section in adjusted position with relation to the lower section.

15. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section, and an upper section adjustable in the lower section and provided with a drop-front, the said front being movable independently of the upper section.

16. In a yard or inclosure of the class set forth,- the combination of a lower section, an upper section held in the lower section, a hinged gate for the upper section provided with outwardly-projecting plates at opposite extremities, and clamping clips movably supported adjacent tothe opposite extremitiesY of the upper section to engage the said Plates'.

17. In a-yard or inclosure of the class set forth, the combination of a lower section having rounds, an upper` section also having rounds telescopically movable through portions of the lower section, and clampingscrews held on the ends of the upper portion of the lower section and provided with clamping, members at their inner ends to engage a portion:v of the rounds of the upper section to hold the latter in iXed adjusted position.

18. A portable yard or inclosure of theV class set forth, comprising upper and lower sections, the upper section being vertically adjustable in the lower section, locking means carried by the lower section for holding the upper section at various elevations with respect to the lower section, casters applied to the lower section to render the device portable, and hooks attached to the opposite ends of said lower section to receive fastening means for holding the yard or inclosure in stationary position, the upper section having means for rendering the yard or inclosure 4accessible and to facilitate the disposition in and removal of a child from the yard or inclosure.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

` BURTON H. LEE.

Witnesses:

AMos E. EMERY, ARTHUR W. HUBBARD. 

